Infographic: Circularity in Packaging

As sustainability becomes ever more important for brands, retailers and regulators, choosing packaging materials that support long-term environmental goals is a key goal.

The tool most commonly used to measure environmental impact is life cycle assessment (LCA). However, it doesn’t always tell the full story, particularly when it comes to how well materials can be reused or recycled over time.

This is where the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) comes in. Developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Granta Design, the MCI offers a more complete picture by assessing how well materials flow back into the production cycle, supporting a truly circular economy.

This infographic explores how permanent materials like metal outperform others when both LCA and MCI are considered, highlighting their key role in reducing waste and conserving resources over time. For more on the background of the MCI, check out this interview with one of its developers, James Goddin, head of circular economy at thinkstep-anz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUIBgsPU5LM.